DVIDS-News – ASC employees adapt new work environment, hybrid work soars

ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL in Ill. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many Department of Defense employees were forced to return home to telework two years ago. It would be temporary, was the consensus at the time. For many federal employees, however, this temporary solution has become a reality.

It seems that many federal employees, even those at the U.S. Army Sustainment Command are entering a new phase of their work. They may blend working at home with work at the office. This is called hybrid work.

This is a relatively new concept. In simple terms, it is a way for employees to split their time between teleworking or coming into the office.

ASC will be able to maintain its pre-pandemic office culture while still allowing for greater flexibility in work hours. It is a compromise between employer and employee preferences.
Matt Sannito was the deputy to the commanding General, ASC. He stated that ASC should have a 21st Century workplace to support our workforce.
Sannito stated that the biggest challenge ASC faced in its two years of operating in a COVID environment was its ability to adapt.

Sannito stated that the mission has not been compromised; in fact, I have seen the organization rally more to ensure that what they do each day for the warfighter’s families is still effective during a January interview.

Sannito said, “I think the challenge for us going ahead is how do you take those best practices and make it a blended organisation, where there will be both traditional physical structure building and teleworking.”

Many ASC employees feel strongly about hybrid work. Some prefer teleworking, while others prefer to be in the office.

Melissa Peterson, who is a member of the ASC G-1 (Human Resources Section), has teleworked for two years. She said that teleworking has made her more engaged and passionate about her job, and increased her trust in her colleagues.

She continued to say that teleworking has provided her with other benefits.

Peterson stated that hybrid work has given him two hours per day. This allows him to live in his home and is more convenient. I have saved money on gas and insurance, food, maintenance, clothing, and food. My overall health has improved because I can eat healthier, and not rush to get to work in the morning. My stress level has decreased and I have had to take fewer leave to attend medical appointments.

Patrick Wagner, an ASC employee who works in the ASC Operations Office, stated that he prefers to physically go to work as it allows him to separate his work and home time.

He said that I prefer my office setup and that I can talk to my coworkers in person. I work in the training office so it is much easier and more sociable to assist/help in person. I once said to a former colleague, “You know why I don’t work from home?” I don’t own my own business!

ASC supervisors will and managers will decide how the hybrid work policy will be implemented in their respective sections. So while some sections will see most or all employees return to the office, others will be able to use a hybrid approach. Sections that employ a hybrid approach will not be able to return to the office at all. Sections that use telework will only be able to come to the office when they are needed.

Employees of ASC have the option to telecommute, at least partially, for tangible benefits.

The average commute time here is 16 minutes, according to the Quad City Chamber Of Commerce’s Study in Labor Availability and Workforce Characteristics. This means that an employee who teleworkes three times a week will drive for 1 hour and 4 min to and from work, compared with 2 hours and 40 minutes if he or she drives five days a month.

In an average year, the amount of time spent commuting can really add up. A hybrid ASC employee will commute an average of 55.46 hrs per year if they telework three days a week, compared with 138.66 if they come to work every day. This is 83.2 more than the two work weeks spent in traffic if they come to work 5 days a semaine.

Teleworking can also be a cost-saving option for employees. Teleworking is a way to save money on gas and wear and tear on your car. According to gasprices.aaa.com on March 11, the average gas price in the Quad Cities was $3.96 per gallon. Gas prices on the Illinois side are $.30-$.50 higher.

While some employees are accepting the change, others would rather go back to pre-COVID-19 ways of working, some ASC leadership members, like Mr. Sannito, believe that ASC needs to adapt to retain and recruit new talent.

Sannito stated that if we want to be an effective and viable employer for U.S. citizens we will have to adapt and deal with that balance.

Or, we as an organisation will suffer in the short term while we try to figure this out.